Page:Zawis and Kunigunde (1895).djvu/55

 Gradually the crowd surged towards the front, and only women, children and a few stragglers remained. The noise at a distance became greater. Shouting grew more fierce and, contentious. At intervals a wild horseman rode into the camp, announcing the bloody contention and its incidents as observed, and then rode away again. Even the women and older children left the camp, and went forward. Seeing their opportunity, a group of prisoners hitherto unnoticed, with hands still bound since the previous evening, approached the tent. In front advanced a tall veteran, of dignified carriage and venerable appearance. Solomon and Pietro regarded this apparition at first with surprise and then with alarm. With difficulty they recognized their host of the previous morning. Hastily unbinding his wrists and administering every possible attention, they conducted the old man to the best couch at their disposal, and having disposed him torest, gave similar attention to the others. They were all members of the same family, sons or sons-in-law; and men and women, old and young, all were tortured captives together. “Be not uneasy,” said Solomon; “we shall need your services during the day while these wretches are engaged in their favorite pastime.” The group then quietly disposed of themselves at hand. Food and water were supplied and all waited in silence. “It will be asI expected,” said Solomon at length. “Otakar is overmatched. He will fall, and an ancient dynasty and a prosperous kingdom will fall with him. Woe to the land infested with these hordes.